Cultural notes

Many Americans now have telephones in their car. Increasingly, you will see people driving while holding a telephone. Some are concerned that it is unwise to drive and engage in a telephone conversation at the same time. Those who have car telephones defend their use by saying that they actually drive more slowly and cautiously, because they are not in such a hurry to get to the office to return their phone calls.

Throughout the U.S., the number 911 has been recognized as an emergency telephone number. By dialing 911, you can report your whereabouts and a life-threatening situation. Fire, police, or medical personnel are then dispatched depending on the circumstances.

Action

YOU: I don't know what's wrong. It's a rental car. Maybe I should call the emergency number of the agency.

HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER: Can I give you a lift to the service station at the next exit?

YOU: Yes, if you don't mind. I think I'll call the rental agency there.

HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER: I'm glad to help. It's part of the job.

NARRATOR: In the car. A few minutes later.

HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER: You're not from around here are you?

YOU: No, I'm not an American. I'm visiting the U.S. for the first time. I've been to Atlanta, Georgia, and now I'm on my way to your nation's capital.

HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER: You mean Washington?

YOU: That's right.

HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER: I've never been there. I'd like to go there one day. They say it's a lovely city. Hope the rest of your trip goes well!

YOU: Thank you. You've been very helpful.

NARRATOR: You dial the emergency number.

NARRATOR (Cont'd.): The agent who answers tells you to have your car towed to the nearest garage.

NARRATOR (Cont'd.): They will reimburse the garage for any parts and labor.

Lesson 20 «A Washington Traffic Jam»

Vocabulary

6 (six)

ago (adv.)

To indicate how much time has passed since you did something, "x" + [time] + "ago" is a simple, useful construction. For example, "I spoke to her ten minutes ago." "She called me two years ago." "There were no airplanes 100 years ago."

Antonio's (poss., prop. noun)

An Italian restaurant in the dialogue.

appears, it (to appear)

Interchangeable with "It seems...."

assume, I (to assume)

Aunt Stephanie might have written "I understand," "I believe," or "I (pre)suppose" in the phrase "...I assume that she will follow my wishes."

backed up (past. part., to back up)

best-kept (adj.)

This is the superlative form of "well-kept."

Bill of Rights (prop. noun)

The "Bill of Rights" contains the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

concerning (prep.)

Similar words and expressions include "about," "dealing with," "in relation to," "with respect to," "respecting," "in regard to," and "regarding."

copy (noun)

Declaration of Independence (prop. noun)

A famous document written by Thomas Jefferson and housed at the National Archives that declared independence for the thirteen original colonies from British rule in 1776.

dinner (noun)

Many Americans refer to their evening meal as "supper" instead of "dinner." "Dining out" or "going out to dinner" is, in many instances, the focus of one's evening entertainment. One can "invite" or "take" someone "out for dinner," plan a "romantic dinner for two," or "throw (or "host") a dinner party" for a group of people. People living on a strict budget can host a "pot luck dinner" for which guests bring a dish. Finally, theater goers can have dinner and then see a "play" or "musical" at a "dinner theater."

directed, she (to direct, past)

expect, I (to expect)

favorite (adj.)

following (adj. as noun)

One understands that "the following" refers to the "activities listed below" in Aunt Stephanie's letter.

Georgetown (prop. noun)

heavier (adj., comp.)

hills (noun, pl)

instruct, I (to instruct)

Aunt Stephanie's letter to her niece is quite formal, and is filled with words that give it an authoritative quality or style befitting a last will and testament. The following expressions help to create the letter's eloquence: "I therefore instruct" (she could have written "I hope that"); "while I do not expect" (she could have written "I don't want"); "follow my wishes" (she could have written "do as I say"); "My hope is" (she could have written "I hope that").

Italian (adj.)

Remember to capitalize all nouns and adjectives denoting nationality, race, ethnic background, and religion.

learn, she will (to learn, fut.)

Lincoln Memorial (prop. noun)

A famous monument in Washington with a larger than life statue of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

listed (past part.)

lived, I (to live, past)

moving (pres. part., to move)

National Arboretum (prop. noun)

National Archives (prop. noun)

near, you (to near)

Also "you approach," "you get close to."

niece (noun)

The male counterpart of "niece" is "nephew."

picturesque (adj.)

Synonyms include "scenic" or "beautiful."

proof (noun)

prove (inf., to prove)

remind, they (to remind)

repaired (adj.)

request! (imp., to request)

reread, you (to reread)

The prefix "re-" can be attached to almost any verb, meaning that the action of the verb can be done a second time, repeated, or done again.

secret (noun)

Shenandoah Valley (prop. noun)

A beautiful "river valley" in Virginia between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains.

sit, you (to sit)

soon (adv.)

Spirit of St. Louis (prop. noun)

student (noun)

taught, it (to teach, past)

therefore (adv.)

trucks (noun, pl.)

"Trucks" in the context of the Story most likely refers to "semi-trucks" or "trailer trucks" ("eighteen-wheel vehicles").

view (inf., to view)

wishes (noun, pl.)

years (noun, pl.)

Story

After a few hours, your car is repaired and you're driving through the picturesque Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The green hills remind you of home. As you near the city, the traffic becomes heavier. Soon, you're not moving at all. Cars and trucks are backed up for what appears to be miles. You sit back and reread your aunt's instructions concerning your stay in Washington.

Cultural notes

Washington, D.C., is both the capital of the United States and one of its most beautiful and historic cities. The metropolitan Washington area has a population of close to four million.

Washington is the headquarters of the federal government. All three branches of the U.S. government, the legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial

(Supreme Court) reside and meet in Washington. The President proposes laws and manages America's relations with other countries. Congress makes and passes legislation. Finally, the Supreme Court interprets the laws, deciding whether they are constitutional or not.

Some of the famous places mentioned in Aunt Stephanie's letter are:

Georgetown, a fashionable residential area and site of Georgetown University.

Smithsonian Institution: several museums housing more than 60 million items. The museums are as follows:

National Air and Space Museum (where you can see the Wright brothers' plane and Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of Saint Louis"; National Museum of American History; National Museum of Natural History; and the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. The world-famous National Gallery of Art and Hirshhorn Museum are also part of the Smithsonian.

National Archives, containing the originals of the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence.

National Arboretum, which has trees and shrubs from many parts of the world.

Lincoln Memorial, a monument honoring Abraham Lincoln.

U.S. Capitol, the place where members of Congress meet to discuss and vote on

Acton

YOU (reading): "My years in Washington, D. C. taught me so much about American history. I therefore instruct my niece to do the following while she is in Washington:

1. Visit Georgetown where I lived a number of years ago as a student.

2. Have dinner at Antonio's, my favorite Italian restaurant. Request a menu and bring back a copy of the check as proof.

3. Visit the Smithsonian Institution. Take a picture of Lindbergh's 'Spirit of St. Louis.'

4. Visit the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

5. Drive through the National Arboretum, Washington's best-kept secret.

6. Finish by visiting the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol.

While I do not expect my niece to prove that she visited all the places I have listed, I assume that she will follow my wishes.

My hope is that she will learn as much about the U.S. as I did when I first moved here."

NARRATOR: Finally, the traffic begins to move. You drive to your hotel and spend the next two days exploring Washington as your aunt directed.

Lesson 21 «A Fender Bender in Chicago»